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The AP style says that a comma is not needed between two clauses that have the same subject. However, it would become ambiguous if I removed the comma fromt the following:
When you walk straight down the hall, you will be met with two doors: the first goes upstairs , and the second goes to the outside.
Is the comma after upstairs required in the AP Style? Is it a clear "YES" or is it subjective? As a side note, is the use of the colon okay according to the AP Style?
I have the 2011 edition of the AP Stylebook, which gives the following as correct examples:
He promised this: The company will make good all the losses.
There were three considerations: expense, time, and feasibility.
Yours seems to fit the first example, so as an independent clause it would take a capital letter after the colon.
I would use both commas for absolute clarity.
